Vibrating Comedo Extractor with Light

ABSTRACT

A vibrating comedo extractor with light to aid in immediate removal of blemishes to allow healthier and better-looking skin. The vibrating comedo extractor with light generally includes a housing having an extractor extending from a frontal opening thereof. A motor is positioned within the housing for imparting vibrational force to the extractor. An illumination device is positioned adjacent to the extractor to aid in lighting the area being treated. By activating the motor and light using a switch on the housing, the present invention may be utilized to efficiently, accurately and safely remove various blemishes such as comedones from the skin.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/954,066 filed on Jul. 30, 2013 (Docket No. LAMP-010), which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/677,344 filed Jul. 30,2012 (Docket No. LAMP-008). Each of the aforementioned patentapplications, and any applications related thereto, is hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a comedo extractor and morespecifically it relates to a vibrating comedo extractor with light toaid in immediate removal of blemishes to allow healthier andbetter-looking skin.

2. Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Extractors for removing comedones are known in the art for removingvarious blemishes from the skin. However, prior art comedo extractorssuffer from a number of shortcomings. The prior art devices are oftendifficult to use. They are thin and hard to hold securely, which canresult in misplacement of the tool and necessitate multiple attempts toremove the blemish, possibly causing redness, bruising, irritation, painand scarring.

Prior art devices also lack any illumination, which either necessitatesa more difficult extraction or the use of a separate illumination deviceto light the area from which the blemish is being removed. Finally,prior art devices do not include any vibrational features, which resultin additional force and manipulation being required to adequately removea blemish.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a needfor a new and improved vibrating comedo extractor with light to aid inimmediate removal of blemishes to allow healthier and better-lookingskin.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a comedo extractor which includes ahousing having an extractor extending from a frontal opening thereof. Amotor is positioned within the housing for imparting vibrational forceto the extractor. An illumination device is positioned adjacent to theextractor to aid in lighting the area being treated. By activating themotor and light using a switch on the housing, the present invention maybe utilized to efficiently, accurately and safely remove variousblemishes such as comedones from the skin.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view illustrating usage of the presentinvention to remove a comedo.

FIG. 3a is a first side view of the present invention.

FIG. 3b is a second side view of the present invention illustratingdepression of the switch and vibration of the extractor.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the present invention utilizingan alternate extractor tip.

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of the present invention utilizingan alternate extractor tip.

FIGS. 9a-9e are upper perspective views of various different extractortips used with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 7 illustrate a vibrating comedo extractor with light 10, whichcomprises a housing 20 having an extractor 30 extending from a frontalopening 23 thereof. A motor 54 is positioned within the housing 20 forimparting vibrational force to the extractor 30. An illumination device40 is positioned adjacent to the extractor 30 to aid in lighting thearea being treated. By activating the motor 54 and light 40 using aswitch 29 on the housing 20, the present invention may be utilized toefficiently, accurately and safely remove various blemishes such ascomedones from the skin.

B. Housing

As shown throughout the figures, the present invention includes ahousing 20 which stores the various components of the present invention.The housing 20 may be comprised of various configurations, shapes, andsizes, and thus should not be construed as being limited in any of theserespects to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The housing20 includes a first end 21, which acts as a gripping portion / handle ofthe present invention, and a second end 22, from which the extractor 30of the present invention extends. The handle portion 21 of the housing20 may be ergonomically designed for improved comfort.

The first end 21 of the housing 20 includes a battery receiver 25 whichis adapted to removably receive a power source 50 such as a battery 50therein. As shown throughout the figures, the battery receiver 25includes a threaded portion 26 adapted to removably receive a threadedcap 27 therein to enclose the power source 50 within the housing 20. Thesecond end 22 of the housing 20 includes a frontal opening 23 throughwhich the extractor 30 extends as shown in FIG. 1.

The housing 20 includes an interior portion 28 which stores the variouscomponents of the present invention, such as the power source 50,circuit board 52, motor 54 and conduits 56. The interior portion 28 willpreferably be at least partially hollow to accommodate these components.

The housing 20 will also generally include a switch 29 which generallyat least partially extends out of its exterior surface. Various types ofswitches 29 may be utilized, such as a button configuration as shown inthe figures. In some embodiments, the switch 29 may be flush with theexterior surface of the housing 20. In other embodiments as shown in thefigures, the switch 29 extends partially out from the housing 20. Theswitch 29 may be positioned at various locations on the housing 20 andthus should not be construed as limited to the positioning shown in thefigures.

In some embodiments, the housing 20 may also include such add-ons as areservoir for liquid, a spray jet, anti-microbial sponge, a brush tip,pull-out disposable wipes, suction, a micro facial steamer, and/or astyptic pencil.

C. Extractor

As shown throughout the figures, an extractor 30 extends out of thefront opening 23 of the housing 20. The extractor 30 generally comprisesa first end 31 and a second end 32. The first end 31 of the extractor 30includes a connector portion 33 which is adapted to engage with acorresponding extractor holder 35 positioned within the frontal opening23 of the housing 20. The second end 32 of the extractor 30 comprises anextractor tip which is utilized to aid in removal of comedones or otherblemishes on the skin.

The extractor 30 may be fixedly or removably secured within theextractor holder 35. In some embodiments, the extractor holder 35 may beomitted and the extractor 30 fixedly or removably secured directlywithin the frontal opening 23 of the housing 20. In other embodiments,the extractor 30 may be removably secured within the housing 20 by suchmethods as magnetic, friction fit, knurled fit, threaded engagement,clamps, shank and collet, slidable securing, pivoting, or push-pin.

The second end 32 of the extractor 30 may have a looped tip as shown inFIGS. 1-6, a pointed tip as shown in FIG. 7, a flattened tip as shown inFIG. 8, or a wide range of other tip configuration, such as those shownin FIGS. 9a-9e . The present invention should not be construed as beinglimited to any particular extractor 30 configuration, as any type ofextractor 30 tip known in the art to aid in the removal of comedones maybe utilized with the present invention.

The extractor holder 35 is comprised of a receiver or other structurewhich fits within the second end 22 of the housing 20 to receive theextractor 30 therein. The first end 36 of the extractor holder 35 ispositioned within the interior portion 28 of the housing 20 in contactwith the motor 54. The second end 37 of the extractor holder 35 includesa threaded receiver portion 38 adapted to threadably receive the firstend 31 of the extractor 30 therein.

In some embodiments, the extractor 30 may be heated, such as by aheating coil positioned within the housing 20 adjacent to its frontalopening 23. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 e, an extractorcover 39 may be provided in some embodiments to fit over the extractor30. The cover 39 could be provided to perform a wide range of functions,such as for hygiene purposes where the extractor 30 is to be used ondifferent people.

The shape of the extractor cover 39 may vary along with the differentshapes of extractors 30 as shown in the figures. The cover 39 could bedisposable or re-usable. The cover 39 could be absorbent, cushioned forcomfort, infused with medicine, or adapted to be warmed.

D. Illumination Device

The present invention includes an illumination device 40 which aids withilluminating the area from which blemishes are being removed. Theillumination device 40 may be positioned at various locations along thehousing 20. In a preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, theillumination device 40 is positioned at the front end 22 of the housing20 adjacent to the extractor 30. Various types of illumination devices40 may be utilized, such as light emitting diodes, LCD, CFL, halogen,xenon, infrared, blue light, UV, or heated lights.

E. Power Source and Motor

As best shown in FIG. 6, the interior portion 28 of the housing 20contains a power source 50, circuit board 52, motor 54 and conduits 56.The power source 50 may be comprised of various types of batteries 50,including non-rechargeable and rechargeable varieties. In someembodiments, the power source 50 may be a wired connection to a wallsocket.

The circuit board 52 controls activation and deactivation of both thelight 40 and the motor 54. The switch 29 is connected directly to thecircuit board 52. The circuit board 52 may be adapted to be operated invarious manners. In a preferred embodiment, pressing the switch 29 oncewill turn on the light 40, a second time will turn on the motor 54, anda third time will deactivate both the light 40 and the motor 54. Variousother configurations may be utilized. In other embodiments, multipleswitches 29 may be utilized (i.e. one for the light 40 and one for themotor 54). In other embodiments, the switch 29 may automatically turnon/off when the extractor 30 touches the user's skin or is removed froma case/charger.

The motor 54 is directly connected with the extractor 30 and/orextractor holder 35 for imparting vibrations to the extractor 30.Preferably, a rotating motor 54 having an offset weight on its driveshaft will be utilized to impart the vibrations to the extractor 30.However, a wide range of motors 54 or other vibrational devices may beutilized to vibrate the extractor 30, including variable speed motors54. The movement forces imparted to the extractor 30 may be transmittedvia vibrations, random movements, oscillations, rotations,reciprocations, and the like. In some embodiments, a constant use springmay be utilized to impart such forces to the extractor 30. In somecases, the present invention may be pneumatically powered.

Electrical conduit 56 is utilized to connect the various components witheach other and with the battery 50. As shown in FIG. 6, a first conduit56 links the power source 50 with the circuit board 52, a second conduit56 links the circuit board 52 with the motor 54, and a third conduit 52links the light source 40 with the circuit board 52.

The housing 20 may also incorporate onboard memory, a built-inmicrocontroller, a built-in timer, or speed adjustors for the motor 54.The microcontroller could be programmed to perform various functionswith the present invention, such as controlling motor 54 speed. Theon-board memory could be used in combination with the microcontroller toprovide updates to its firmware.

F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

In use, the switch 29 is pressed once to activate the light 40. Thepresent invention is then positioned near the blemish to be removed. Theswitch 29 is pressed again to activate the motor 54, which will causevibration of the extractor 30. The extractor 30 tip is then placed overor near the blemish and gently pressed down around or near the blemish.The vibration action aids in reducing surface tension of the skin andhelps to break loose and dislodge the blemish. The blemish may then beremoved along with the tool, and the switch 29 pressed a third time todeactivate both the light 40 and the motor 54 until the tool 10 is usedagain.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilizedwithin the description are for convenience only and have no legal orlimiting effect.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of extracting a comedo from a skinsurface, comprising: positioning an extractor member near a comedo in askin surface, wherein the extractor member includes an opening, whereinthe extractor member is connected to a vibrating device, and wherein thevibrating device is adapted to vibrate the extractor member; positioningthe extractor member about the comedo in the skin surface so that thecomedo is positioned within the opening surrounded by the extractormember and the extractor member engages the skin surface; applying aforce to the extractor member to force the extractor member toward theskin surface; and vibrating the extractor member which vibrates the skinsurface and the comedo to break loose and dislodge the comedo from theskin surface.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening istransverse to a longitudinal axis of the extractor member.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the opening is comprised of a U-shaped opening. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the extractor member comprises a loopedtip.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vibrating device includes ahousing and wherein the extractor member extends from the housing. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the extractor member is removablyconnected to the housing.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thevibrating device comprises a motor.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of adjusting the speed of the vibrating device toincrease or decrease vibration of the extractor member.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the step of removably securing an extractorcover over the extractor member.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein theextractor cover is infused with medicine.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the extractor cover is cushioned.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the vibrating device includes an illumination device forilluminating an area around the comedo.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the illumination device is positioned adjacent to the extractormember.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the vibrating deviceincludes a switch adapted to toggle the vibrating device and theillumination device.
 15. The method of 14, further comprising the stepof pressing the switch a first time to activate the illumination device.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of pressing theswitch a second time to activate the vibrating device.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising the step of pressing the switch a thirdtime to deactivate both the illumination device and the vibratingdevice.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of vibrating theextractor member comprises oscillating the extractor member.
 19. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of vibrating the extractor membercomprises reciprocating the extractor member.
 20. A method of extractinga comedo from a skin surface, comprising: positioning an extractormember near a comedo in a skin surface, wherein the extractor member iscomprised of a looped tip defining an opening, wherein the extractormember is connected to and extends from a vibrating device, wherein thevibrating device is comprised of a housing, a battery within thehousing, a motor within the housing and electrically connected to thebattery, and an illumination device electrically connected to thebattery, wherein the motor is adapted to vibrate the extractor memberwhen activated; positioning the extractor member about the comedo in theskin surface so that the comedo is positioned within the openingsurrounded by the extractor member and the extractor member engages theskin surface; applying a force to the extractor member to force theextractor member toward the skin surface; activating the illuminationdevice to illuminate an area surrounding the comedo; and activating thevibrating device, wherein the vibrating device vibrates the extractormember when activated, and wherein the vibration of the extractor membervibrates the skin surface and the comedo to break loose and dislodge thecomedo from the skin surface.